I recently read an article about using newspapers that will absorb the odor!!!! I, too, had purchased several boxes with an odor -- not smoke, and not mildew -- but more like they were in a room that had been closed off for sometime. I tried the newspapers and they worked!!!! What I did was use laundry baskets and just alternated a layer of material with a layer of newspapers. I am still so amazed!!! Just unbelievable!!!!